JW &Your Health

desib77

Well, I guess this will be my first official question for all of you.....Does the stress of the JW religon stemming from a background in it affect anyones health?

This may seems silly but just thinking about it and other religious options stresses me out. Right now, just from thinking about this for an hour or so, I have a huge headache and am very tense and a little bit shaky.

I remember when I was young, my father started having panic attacks. He was then unable to give talks without getting to the point of passing out. Consequently, they removed his ministerial duties (accounts) since of course what good was he if he couldn't give talks.....? The sad thing is he didn't know they were transfering this responsibility until it was announced at the meeting... I feel that his panic attacks were related to the pressure put on a person as a JW.

Okay, I've gotten a little bit of track, but my question is, has anyone else experienced health problems that they feel are related to being or having been a JW?

Sassy

Before I moved from my old apartment to a whole new location and was stressed out that the elders would call, would stop by, etc etc my hair was falling out.. literally maybe 30 hairs a day.. When I'd towel dry after a shower, hair on the towel, when I woke up in the morning, hair on my pillow case, when I brushed it, hair in my brush, (which I was cleaning off my brush daily)...

I moved and I don't have to drive by my hall, run into other JWs in the stores, worry who is calling (since my number changed) and my hair is growing back..

man.. I was getting scared for a minute that I was going have less hair than my boyfriend (he shaves his bald)

HadEnuf

I definately think so. All the stress of having to live up to the JW impossible and ridiculous standards that they have formed over the years made me a nervous wreck! I truly think that your health is affected by your state of mind and the pressure to conform by the JW leadership (if you want to call it that...I call them slave holders) can wear you out physically, emotionally and every other "ally".

Eleven years ago I developed Chronic Fatique Syndrome (and believe me it IS a real disease), chronic depression, high blood pressure & arthritis. I had perpetual insomnia and stomach problems. Since leaving the JW's about 4 years ago my health has improved tremendously. Though I am still on many medications...it's my MIND that feels like it is doing the most healing. I figure a few more years away from this cult should make even a further difference in my health.

Good question desib77! Cathy L.

Puternut

My health declined rapidly after I got involved in a totally gone wrong child abuse case. Depression set in, lost over 30 lbs, most of my organs were shutting down, my heart was pounding in my chest, and I only slept for 2 hours a night. My doctor told me, if I keep this up, I will end up dead.

So I promptly stepped down and went on my recommended herbs. Now that I am out,.....

All better now................

Puternut

Nosferatu

I don't have time to go into detail, but I had uncontrollable shaking and stomach problems. I'm better now :)

kat2u

Always waiting for the other shoe to drop.To (ohhh nooo) be tempted beyond your endurance.To feel its only a matter of time before things get worse,you may be tortured or killed.Most the people who are your neighbors you cannot trust.Have to be careful to protect you children from almost everything close to fun.

Yes I think this kind of mentality can definatly affect a persons health.

Kat

itsallgoodnow

Depression, anxiety problems, definately - nothing physical, as far as I can tell.

doodle-v

And dubs claim that they are in a "spiritual paradise" and are the happiest people on earth ...gimmie a break

codeblue

well...I was raised a JW...married a JW...he left me after 20 years of marriage...alone with a 16 year old son...sound stressful?

I tried to keep up with the treadmill...you know what I mean...1.5 years later I was in pain!!! Went to a dr. found out I had fibromyelgia. I had to work full time to pay bills, thanks to that my husband, a jw that left me...(he was screwing around with god knows who)...

I cut back on f. service...so..yes...my religion affected my health...I realized I coudln't do it all...

Recently...affected my health when they gave me a damaging "welcoming visit"...about a year ago after I relocated. I haven't recovered from that...and probably won't ever...

Codeblue

sunshineToo

Oh, yeah! Stress. In fact by the time when I tried to get out, I was going crazy. If I stayed another month, I would have ended up at a mental hospital.

JW &Your Health

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